Hundreds of Thousands Displaced by Myanmar Flood

SAGAING, Myanmar -- CBN humanitarian relief teams have responded to the Myanmar government's request to help an estimated 200,000 victims displaced by massive flooding and landslides.

Relief teams are making their way to isolated villagers in desperate need for clean water and food.

Many villages were cut off from food and water supplies after Cyclone Komen lashed through Myanmar, followed by heavy monsoon rains. The massive flooding and landslides killed at least 63 people and displaced more than 200,000.

In the past, Myanmar's military government refused international help, but the current, quasi-civilian government is appealing for assistance.

U Kyaw Zin, a deputy officer of the Shwebo District, says he's never seen anything as devastating as the destruction of one 500,000-acre rice field in the area.

"This is really [the] worst," he told CBN News. "And it has affected our farmers. The government will help them plant again. But at present they need food. And we are happy that you can help us."

CBN Humanitarian and Disaster Relief has partnered with the local government and churches to respond to the immediate needs of the flood victims.

Volunteers from CBN's church partners prepared bags of oil, sardines, rice and much-needed water to be distributed to displaced families.
           
Cooked meals have also been prepared for people in Kyaung Shar Doe, which was isolated when floodwaters washed away its only bridge.

The CBN team transported the much-needed supplies in small boats, braving strong currents, to bring relief to isolated villages.

Although the villagers had to walk through deep waters and thick mud, they were very happy to receive the supplies.

"We are very grateful that you can come here in spite of the difficulty," one villager told CBN News. "We have food for our families that can last for the next several days. We hope you can come again."
 
CBN teams are now working to identify additional villages lacking food and water, bringing relief to flood victims who in the midst of calamity, desperately need help -- and hope.